CORTLAND, N.Y. – The Neumann University softball team fell in the first game of the NCAA Softball Tournament, 6-4, to Heidelberg University on Friday afternoon.

Danielle Grayson led the Knights with three hits and knocked in a run. Melissa Rozumalski had two hits and an RBI.

The Knights were able to get two early runs, plating two in the first inning. Allie White led off with a double, followed by a walk by Melissa Bond. White scored on a throwing error on the catcher while Bond stole second. Bond came around to score on a double by Grayson.

Heidelberg got one run back on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second.

Neumann took a 4-1 advantage with two runs in the top of the fourth. Grayson and Becky Guinto led off the inning with back-to-back singles and Megan Williams loaded the bases with a walk. A run came across the plate when Katie Halter drew a bases loaded walk. Rozumalski then singles to score Guinto.

Heidelberg got to within one on a two-run homerun in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The teams went into the seventh inning all even, four runs, eight hits and two errors. Heidelberg got a lead-off single and won the game on its second homerun of the game.

Lauren Wilkie started the game and went 4.1 innings. She allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and struck out three. Kristin Beaty went 0.1 innings and Haley Broomell pitched the final 1.1 innings. Broomell took the loss and is now 13-3 on the season.

Neumann (30-8) will face the loser of the Cortland / DeSales game tomorrow at 1:30 PM as the double-elimination tournament continues.